Political Donations

[rayelias]

I'm just one guy who enjoys the escape from the real world that WDW offers.

I understand that people are allowed and encouraged to donate their own money to whomever they choose, but I'm frankly a little disturbed to learn that Walt Disney Co. CEO Robert Iger gave $2,100 to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

I will admit, I'm not a fan of Sen. Clinton. Whether you are or not, you'll agree she is a very polarizing national figure.

I would be equally upset to learn if Iger gave money to someone on the otherside of the aisle.

Again, while there's nothing "wrong" with it, I would think (hope) that the CEO of a company who's business model is "escapism" would shy away from doing things that might potentially challenge that successful model.

Disney should be, in my opinion, not only non-partisan, but apolitical.

So, if by some stroke of serindipity, the gets to Robert Iger, or anyone else in prominent positions in Disney, please keep your political affiliations and beliefs private.

Whether you give money or support to someone like Hillary Clinton or to someone like Newt Gingrich, you're going to have at least 50% of the people unhappy about it.

Keep politics FAR AWAY from Walt Disney Co.


...Back to your regularly scheduled programming...

 

[BuckNaked]

It's hard to keep it quiet, because disclosure is mandatory.

 

[Quinn222]

Disney has business interests in New York. His donation may have nothing at all to do with his opinion of her. That said, I try and avoid notably 'republican' companies but it's pretty much impossible to avoid companies who make political donations that you disagree with since most donate to both sides of the aisle.

 

[BuckNaked]

Disney has business interests in New York. His donation may have nothing at all to do with his opinion of her. That said, I try and avoid notably 'republican' companies but it's pretty much impossible to avoid companies who make political donations that you disagree with since most donate to both sides of the aisle.

I'm the same way, although in the opposite direction. I'm not dyed-in-the-wool-won't-buy-from-no-matter-what, but if I can get a product I'm just as happy with from a company or business that doesn't donate to liberal causes or the Democratic party, I do.

For example, I'm always getting mail from Progressive insurance company, trying to get me to switch, but I'd rather pay a little more than give my money to Progressive. But if I can't get the product or something similar elsewhere (say, oh I don't know, like WDW ), then I'll go there, even though I don't care for their political donation choices.

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

I wonder what Walt would think of this?

 

[salmoneous]

I don't get it. Why do you care if some guy you don't know gives money to somebody you don't like?

 

[mrsltg]

He's going to give money the same way any other CEO gives money. His amount is standard and he has business interests to protect. I don't hold it against any CEO. While I don't know personally, I'd be willing to bet he's given money on both sides of the aisle - especially in Florida and California.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I don't get it. Why do you care if some guy you don't know gives money to somebody you don't like?

MTE!

And what the CEO does with HIS wallet--is his business. And unfortunately he has no say whether or not anyone finds out b/c it all has to be disclosed according to law.

Disney should be, in my opinion, not only non-partisan, but apolitical.

So are you suggesting that being an employee of WDW, inc means you should give up your rights so as to preserve the pixie dust?

Perhaps they should all turn in their voting cards since they should be apolitical. Prohibit any campaigning on their own free time.

What he does with his own dime--is his perogative.


So just to be clear--you think WDW is republican territory?

 

[RealMickeysGirl]

If I understand correctly, he gave this as a private citizen - not in the name of Disney, WDW, or Pixie Dust.

It is his right as an American Citizen to donate to whatever cause he wants. What if people no longer frequented/purchased from/used/whatever your place of employment because they didn't like something YOU contributed to.

It is different if a corporate board decides that the company will donate to something because they are doing it as the business but this was out of his private pocket - his pocket, his decision.

What did Progressive insurance do that makes you not want to purchase from them? Just curious - I am not in the loop on who donates/does whatever so this isn't pot stiring - I am really curious about it.

 

[cardaway]

If I understand correctly, he gave this as a private citizen - not in the name of Disney, WDW, or Pixie Dust.

That's my take as well. Not sure what to make of somebody trying to spin this as Disney being involved, but it doesn't look good. Reminds me of the Baptist boycott with them saying Disney supported things they shouldn't have.

 

[Galahad]

Disney and its execs have a history of giving to candidates of both parties, something that sets them apart from many entertainment companies that give primarily to one party or another.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Disney should be, in my opinion, not only non-partisan, but apolitical.

Apparently "Disney" (more specifically, Iger) has a different opinion on the matter.

 

[kpm76]

This is America and one of the great things about living here is that we as individuals have the right to support, financially or otherwise, any candidate we choose. To limit that right, even for a WDW exec, seems anti democratic.

 

[offwegotoneverland]

The other thing to consider is many things that are declared as donations can be related to an event (fundraiser) that may have had a guest speaker or topic that was of personal (not political) interest to the person who made the donation.

I'm a pretty strong Liberal (Canadian here) but have attended Cons. events for the guest speaker or topic (local economic issues or other things that bridge both parties).

2100.00 would barely cover a table I would guess at an event for an event with her kind of profile. My local chamber of commerce golf tournment was 460.00 for 4 people!

if it was a HUGE sum of money I'd maybe think differently or if it was done by the WDW corp. but 2100.00 likely wouldn't even buy a whole table of 8!

 

[alabamaalan]

Reminds me of the Baptist boycott with them saying Disney supported things they shouldn't have.

I'd say they are still different. The boycott (which I disagreed with fwiw) was directed at the Disney Co. because it was "Disney" they were upset with (for company policies, certain films under the Miramax co. etc.)

However, this would be someone upset with an individual who happens to work for Disney. Even if he is the CEO, his private donations do not necessarily reflect "Disney" policies.

Now if the donation was from "Disney" instead of Iger, they may have more of a point. Although I still don't get upset over particular candidates being supported by a business.

Now if a business makes a point of advertising that they support certain causes, etc. that I disagree with, I may choose to shop elsewhere. But that's an entirely different matter.

 

[BuckNaked]

I don't get it. Why do you care if some guy you don't know gives money to somebody you don't like?

I don't care, other than when I have a choice, I prefer that they not use money I spend with them to do it.

What did Progressive insurance do that makes you not want to purchase from them? Just curious - I am not in the loop on who donates/does whatever so this isn't pot stiring - I am really curious about it.

The company didn't "do" anything, I'm sure they're a fine insurance company. But their chairman, Peter Lewis, gives a great deal of money to liberal causes with which I disagree. While I fully support his right to so, I prefer he not do it with my money.

 

[wvrevy]

My only problem with it is that he gave his money to Senator Clinton (I'd have preferred if he'd picked an actual liberal candidate ).

But hey...if it bothers you, cut yourself off from Disney. I won't order Dominos Pizza and talked DW out of signing up for Curves because the owners of those corporations are mysoginist conservative freaks. You gotta go with what you believe in, and if your principles won't allow you to support someone who supports a candidate that you don't like, then you have to decide how important your principles are to you.

 

[NewJersey]

This is a private citizen who donated his own money to a candidate, for whatever reason he felt necessary.

 

[NewJersey]

I don't care, other than when I have a choice, I prefer that they not use money I spend with them to do it.

I'm under the impression he used his own money, not profits of the company. Am I wrong?

 

[Dina]

Why should Disney be apolitical? Disney (though I don't know whether it was as a private citizen or a corporation-- don't really care) is a corporation that has special interests-- and they need to make sure that their needs are met. Of course they're going to contribute to the politician who will best serve Disney's interests-- it would be dangerous not to do that.